Proximus5 brings Christmas cheer to BU pro series

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This article was published 27/11/2024 (506 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg a cappella group Proximus5 will feature two Brandon University alumni when they perform Saturday as part of BU’s pro series.

The group’s Christmas tour concert takes place at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and available at the door. Admission is free for BU and Conservatory of Music students.

Joining Proximus5 on their holiday tour will be Invicta, BU’s newly formed men’s chamber ensemble.

Brandonite Jereme Wall studied music at BU and sings bass in Proximus5. He has recorded and toured with various professional ensembles, including Polycoro, The Winnipeg Singers and the Juno-nominated Canadian Chamber Choir.

Karla Ferguson, who sings alto, graduated from BU in 1998 with a bachelor of music. She has toured with Canadian Chamber Choir, has played in the roots band Dust Poets, and worked for the Winnipeg Folk Festival.

Ferguson is scheduled to fill in for tenor James Magnus-Johnston — one of the five members of Proximus5, which also features Dan Rochegood, countertenor; Scott Reimer, baritone and countertenor; and Paul Bruch-Wiens, baritone.

Proximus5 has been together since the COVID-19 pandemic, said Magnus-Johnston.

“We formed in the depths of the pandemic when singing was essentially banned, so we spent a lot of time singing outside and in garages. Our rehearsals became a lively medley of laughter, debate and the pure joy of connection and creation,” Magnus-Johnston said in a video message posted on the group’s website.

And since they came together during the pandemic to keep “some musical proximity,” they decided to name their quintet Proximus5.

In their first year, they performed three sold-out concerts to audiences in Winnipeg. This year, they were invited to sing in Iowa, and in May performed in Montreal for Podium.

Podium is a national bilingual choral conference and festival, touted as the top meeting place for Canada’s choral and group singing arts sector and community.

As Magnus-Johnston described Proximus5’s performance range and connection with each other, he said, “We don’t want to simply perform — we want to transform music, and when we share these original arrangements, the results can be pretty magical.

“So, for us, the performance is about the smiles and the faces of the audience and the lingering melodies that echo long after the concert has ended. It’s about human connection and our collective heartbeat.”

Saturday evening’s concert will feature a mix of traditional carols and contemporary holiday compositions that celebrate the spirit of the season, said Greg Gatien, the dean of BU’s School of Music.

“The recent weather has reminded us that the holidays are right around the corner, and if the snow on the ground doesn’t get you in the spirit, then the elegant harmonies of Proximus5 certainly will,” Gatien said in a news release.

“I’m delighted to welcome Proximus5 to our stage and equally thrilled that our own Invicta will join them on the program for a crowd-pleasing performance.”

Following the Brandon concert, Proxiumus5 will perform in Minnedosa at the United Church on Sunday, and then back to Winnipeg for two back-to-back performances on Dec. 7 and 8.

For more information about the concert, call 204-727-9631 or email music@brandonu.ca.

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